QUESTION 1

A major international organization is planning to hold an international meeting on ‘Sustainable Development'. One of the ways of reducing the adverse environmental impacts associated with meetings, can be through the utilization of new technologies, such as video and teleconferencing. This new technology can help reduce travel and associated resource use and limit some pollution caused. While the use of these new technologies have to be encouraged, some interpersonal, direct and interactive contact of physical meetings are essential.

Suppose you are a member of the organizing team for the international conference on ‘Sustainable Development' and you have been requested to suggest measures to make this event more environmental friendly and to improve on the following areas:

• Venue for the international meeting
• Paper use
• Public transport
• Catering

(a) Suggest three ways you would improve the environmental impacts for each of the four areas mentioned above.

(b) The international organization holds a permanent office in France and envisages reporting the sustainability of its performance. The services provided by this organization include dissemination of information, knowledge, advice and coordination of projects, facilitation of exchanges and organization of international conferences. The number of employees is changing throughout the year due to changes in the number of interns, professional officers and consultants present every month. However other indicators e.g. energy use, consumables for ICT and stationeries can be considered as consistent.

Discuss one possible methodology for undertaking a performance evaluation in this organization.